The Ministry of Home Affairs clarifies the function of managing archival documents after merging communes
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Culture and Social Affairs does not have the function of managing archival documents under the management authority of the People's Committee at the commune level.
Ms. Le Thi Thanh (character's name has been changed) reflected: Pursuant to Decree No. 150/ND-CP, Clause 3, Article 16 stipulates that the Department of Culture - Society is responsible for advising the People's Committees at the commune level to perform the function of state management of documents and archives.
At the same time, Circular No. 10/2025/TT-BNV dated June 19, 2025 of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Clause 4, Article 4 and the Law on Archives 2024 in Article 57 also clearly stipulate the content of state management of archives.
Accordingly, the Department of Culture and Society is responsible for advising the People's Committee of the commune in state management of documents and archives such as: developing, promulgating, guiding, organizing the implementation of strategies, plans and policies for developing archives; promulgating technical standards, norms, economic - technical norms and technical requirements in archiving activities.
After the merger of administrative units, the implementation according to the functions and tasks of the Department of Culture and Information led to problems in receiving and handing over documents of the old communes. Accordingly, this department was assigned to advise the Commune People's Committee to open the sealing, count and confirm the handover documents. After that, the compiled documents were proposed to be handed over to the People's Council Office and the People's Committee for management.
Ms. Thanh suggested that the Ministry of Home Affairs clarify whether such implementation is in accordance with regulations or not so that the locality has a basis for advice and appropriate implementation.
Regarding her reflection and recommendation, the Ministry of Home Affairs responded on the Electronic Information Portal.
Accordingly, the Department of Culture and Society has the function of advising and assisting the People's Committees at the commune level in performing the function of state management of documents and archives; it does not have the function of managing archival documents under the management authority of the People's Committees at the commune level.
Each specialized department organizes its own current archives, not concentrating documents on the archives of the People's Committees at the commune level as before.
"The management of backlog documents before June 30, 2025 shall be decided by the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level according to the provisions of Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 59 of the Law on archives 2024" - the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
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